Linsky to students: Fight like the NRA to end gun violence

Saturday

NATICK – In a middle school auditorium Saturday, state Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, had a message for those looking to combat gun violence: take a page out of the National Rifle Association handbook.

“The reason the NRA has been successful in this country … is the NRA voters don’t care about other issues,” Linsky said. “You have to be tough. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Federal, state and local officials spent a couple of hours at a student-organized town hall meeting focused on gun safety. The group explained pending legislation, praised student leaders in the March for Our Lives movement, answered questions, and offered next steps.

“This is what democracy looks like,” said U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, “and I’m very privileged to be here.”

Legislators blamed gun lobbyists for the inertia on federal legislation, and told students to be just as persistent.

“In the history of the United States, (the youth) is who makes a difference,” Clark said. “When people say ‘they’ll get tired,’ ‘they’ll go away’ .... You’re going to prove them wrong.”

The event, held at Kennedy Middle School in Natick, was organized by 18-year-old Hopkinton High School student Devon Rutter, as well as the groups Stop Handgun Violence and March for Our Lives Boston.

“Just having one march doesn’t make change,” Rutter said. “You need to follow up. I think today was a good follow-up.”

Unannounced, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, swept through the event. Her presence visibly galvanized attendees, as she hugged her constituents, posed for photos, and gave a passionate speech.

“It’s an honor to fight alongside you,” Warren told the group. “This is how we will make democracy work.”

Officials urged continued action from students. Warren, Linsky and Clark were joined by five state legislators in telling students to write, call and meet with their representatives repeatedly, keep staging events, educate themselves on the issues, and especially, to vote. Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer sat in the audience for the first hour.

“I am accountable to you, and every member of Congress needs to remember that,” Clark said. “It’s your voice, and the authenticity of you .... That’s going to change this country.”

About a dozen students were among the roughly 60 people in attendance. The teenagers asked a few questions, largely aimed at specific action – how to talk to someone who doesn’t agree with you, or how to take action when they can’t yet vote. Otherwise, they listened.

“It was just a chance to hear some of the adults in the community,” Hopkinton student Kate Wilson, 17, said. “I wanted to come here and hear what people had to ask them.”

Legislators counseled patience alongside persistence.

“What’s happening is we are trying to change an entire culture,” state Rep. Denise Garlick, D-Needham, said. “It’s only 6 million people (in Massachusetts), folks. How long can it take?”

Alison Bosma can be reached at 508-626-3957 or abosma@wickedlocal.com. Find her on Twitter at @AlisonBosma.